Letter
The Hallé, Walter Carroll, Ida Carroll, Geoffrey Griffiths, Manchester Women's String Orchestra
Northern School Of Music (NSM)
1940

Griff congratulates Ida on her "chic" look when performing in her black gown. It may have been a Matthay School of Music concert, or with the Manchester Women's Orchestra, it's not explained.
"Air raid signals seemed to be busy during one of the amusing speech-rhythm things". He says that Ida's father Walter "certainly is upset at the present situation - rather unnecessarily I think - for the present anyway, but I may be mistaken." Yeaaaahhhhh....
He finds himself reassuring "don't worry, it may never happen."
He shares that "National Service is apparently the thing of the moment" and that he is sure she will find a way to be helpful even though his letter of last November to enlist has had no results.
"Everyone nearly must dread dying by means of any act of war, but I try to console myself that it would be just as bad for other people in similar circumstances as it would be for me." That is not that comforting, Griff.
He gently berates her for working to hard but admits he is also a thief of her rest as he likes to see her so much. He hopes she will write to him from Stratford.
He is pleased with all her success on the double bass and wonders that you never know, "the day may come when there are women players in the Hallé, then some of those old stagers will have to look out." She may have to think about leaving the Manchester Women's Orchestra if she joins the Hallé.

Ref: CARROLL/IGC/3 GG
With thanks to the Ida Carroll Trust
Date is unknown.

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.